Psalm 03

 

A psalm of David, written when he fled from his son Absalom. 

 

David means “beloved.” Absalom means “father of peace.” Peace is shalom, meaning peace with God. One can only have peace with God by believing in Jesus. David gave his son a godly name.

 

David was the King of Israel. Absalom was his son who attempted to usurp the throne. David wrote this song while he was hiding in the wilderness from his own son.

 

3:1 Lord, how numerous are my enemies! Many attack me. 

 

King David has been chased out of Jerusalem by Absalom. All of Israel is looking for David. They want to kill him and place his son Absalom on the throne.

 

3:2 Many say about me, “God will not deliver him.” (Selah) 

 

The enemies of David are saying that God will not deliver him. Selah is probably a musical notation signaling an interlude or change of musical accompaniment. The psalms were the music of Israel.

 

3:3 But you, Lord, are a shield that protects me; you are my glory and the one who restores me. 

 

Jehovah is a shield to David. 

 

3:4 To the Lord I cried out, and he answered me from his holy hill. (Selah) 

 

The Hebrew word for “Lord” is יְ֭הוָה (Jehovah), meaning the covenant-keeping-promise-keeping God. David cried out to the One who keeps His promises. Jehovah answered his cry.

 

3:5 I rested and slept; I awoke, for the Lord protects me. 

 

King David rested and slept in caves. Absalom’s men looked all through these caves, but they could never find David. David was able to rest and sleep, knowing that Jehovah was his protector.

 

3:6 I am not afraid of the multitude of people who attack me from all directions. 

 

David was being attacked from all directions, but he did not fear the attacks.

 

3:7 Rise up, Lord! Deliver me, my God! Yes, you will strike all my enemies on the jaw; you will break the teeth of the wicked. 

 

David asked יְ֭הוָה (Jehovah) to rise up. He asked אֱלֹהַ֗י (elohi) , the triune-creator God, to deliver him from the attacks of Absalom.  He asked God to strike his enemies on the jaw and to break the teeth of the wicked. These men were wicked, because they were attempting to take God’s anointed King off of the throne.

 

3:8 The Lord delivers; you show favor to your people. (Selah) 

 

Jehovah (יְ֭הוָה), the covenant-keeping-promise-keeping God, will show favor to His people. During the Great Tribulation, the Jewish remnant will be hiding from the Antichrist, just as David was hiding from Absalom. They will be shown favor, just as David was shown favor. God will be a shield and protector to them, just as He was a shield and protector to David.